Celebrating 100 years of history

A picture of the first Trinity Baptist Church built in 1913 and removed in 1974.

By Jackie Bridges

Published: Friday, September 28, 2012 at 09:39 AM.

The handwritten minutes for Trinity Baptist Church, near Mooresboro, were in a tattered and worn book that was falling apart. Pages were falling out; notes from 1913-1916 were lost.

Church secretary Diane Edwards typed the official record, using the original sentence structure, wording and spellings.

Although the first few years are missing, the church’s founding has been documented in other places. According to the records, Trinity was organized Oct. 5, 1912, in the old school. Members joining were G.L. Bostic, C.I. Bostic, Willie Bostic, Della Bostic, Effie Lowery Bostic and Mary Holcombe. On Nov. 13, A.M. Harrill joined, and in December, A.L. McKinney and Clementine Bridges joined.

On New Year’s Eve, a group of men met in the woods for prayer at an old pine tree. Three months later, in March 1913, the first church building stood on the spot where the men had met to pray.

Members donated the timber and labor to build the church. The land was given to the church for the first building by J.D. Gilespie, and the land for the parking lot was given by G.L. Bostic.

Some of the most interesting details in the earlier years were items relating to the conduct of church members.

“They had a set of rules, a declaration of faith and church covenant,” said Edwards, a member of the history committee. “The rules were read at every conference.”

The handwritten minutes for Trinity Baptist Church, near Mooresboro, were in a tattered and worn book that was falling apart. Pages were falling out; notes from 1913-1916 were lost.

Church secretary Diane Edwards typed the official record, using the original sentence structure, wording and spellings.

Although the first few years are missing, the church’s founding has been documented in other places. According to the records, Trinity was organized Oct. 5, 1912, in the old school. Members joining were G.L. Bostic, C.I. Bostic, Willie Bostic, Della Bostic, Effie Lowery Bostic and Mary Holcombe. On Nov. 13, A.M. Harrill joined, and in December, A.L. McKinney and Clementine Bridges joined.

On New Year’s Eve, a group of men met in the woods for prayer at an old pine tree. Three months later, in March 1913, the first church building stood on the spot where the men had met to pray.

Members donated the timber and labor to build the church. The land was given to the church for the first building by J.D. Gilespie, and the land for the parking lot was given by G.L. Bostic.

Some of the most interesting details in the earlier years were items relating to the conduct of church members.

“They had a set of rules, a declaration of faith and church covenant,” said Edwards, a member of the history committee. “The rules were read at every conference.”

Ruby McKinney, another member of the history committee, said the leaders were strict about attending church conference. After three unexcused absences, a committee was sent to find out why the person wasn’t there.

“One man was excused because he needed to make his egg route in Shelby,” McKinney said. “They were also excused because of farming.”

McKinney read the church minutes and gleaned these details to share each week in the church bulletin in a section called “Centennial Note.” The topics range from pastors’ salaries to the cost of heating the church.

McKinney grew up in Trinity Church and has never gone anywhere else.

“My family and my husband’s family have always worked in the church,” McKinney said. “Everybody is friendly and caring. It’s part of my life.”

Edwards joined the church 35 years ago, about four months after she and her husband, Mike, moved into the community.

“We visited here, and it was just like coming home,” Edwards said. “The people take care of each other.”

She has experienced the depths of their concern firsthand because since 1993, she’s had heart valve replacement, suffered a stroke and recently suffered a heart attack. Each time, church members “prayed for me, brought in food and visited me,” said Edwards, who also serves as the church organist. “The people were so understanding and helpful to me.”

James Toney, chairman of the history committee, was 20 years old and a newlywed when he joined Trinity in 1960.

“Trinity is where I really grew to be a Christian,” he said. “Going through the history has made me appreciate it more.”

Other members of the history committee, who helped compile a history book and plan the celebration, are Mike Edwards, Barbara Lovelace, Robert Lovelace, Brenda Eaker, Barbara Bishop, Ed Bailey, Irene Byars and Saralyn Daves. Stella Carroll wrote biographies of the church pastors for the history book.

Reach Jackie Bridges at 704-669-3337.

Want to go?

The Centennial Celebration of Trinity Baptist Church is Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. Interim pastor Todd Bolin will speak. A meal will be served after the service and a 2 p.m. remembrance celebration is planned. During the afternoon event, people will be asked to share their memories of going to church at Trinity. Memorabilia will also be displayed in the youth building.

Centennial history notes

Church rule No. 5: All members of the church shall bear their part of all its expenses according to their several abilities, especially in supporting the Lord’s table, the Pastor’s table and the poor of the church.

Church rule No. 15: No man shall be allowed to speak in conference without first arising to his feet and addressing the moderator and not more than twice on the same subject.

From 1917-1919, the Rev. B.M. Bridges was pastor. In 1918, the total membership was 142 — 61 men and 81 ladies. The pastor’s salary for 1917 was $162.

On Sunday, Sept. 2, 1928, the pool committee selected a place on the G.L. Bostic land to build a baptizing pool. Estimated cement cost was $7.50; later, $20 was collected to finish the pool.

On Oct. 1930, the members voted to have the church treasurer purchase and have delivered some coal for the furnace. In January 1931, the amount of $12.15 was paid for the coal.

On July 6, 1931, by motion it was decided that all male members that could not be located be put on a “delinquent list.” Those located who had failed to attend church in the last five years should start attending or be put on the list.